35 I have shown you in every way, (A)by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

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35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

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16 (A)But do not forget to do good and to share, for (B)with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

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16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others,(A) for with such sacrifices(B) God is pleased.

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The Cheerful Giver

(A)But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows [a]bountifully will also reap [b]bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, (B)not grudgingly or of [c]necessity; for (C)God loves a cheerful giver. (D)And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written:

(E)“He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”

10 Now [d]may He who (F)supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, [e]supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your (G)righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, (H)which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only (I)supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 9:6 with blessings
  2. 2 Corinthians 9:6 with blessings
  3. 2 Corinthians 9:7 compulsion
  4. 2 Corinthians 9:10 NU omits may
  5. 2 Corinthians 9:10 NU will supply

Generosity Encouraged

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.(A) Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give,(B) not reluctantly or under compulsion,(C) for God loves a cheerful giver.(D) And God is able(E) to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,(F) you will abound in every good work. As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts(G) to the poor;
    their righteousness endures forever.”[a](H)

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food(I) will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.(J) 11 You will be enriched(K) in every way so that you can be generous(L) on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.(M)

12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs(N) of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.(O)

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 9:9 Psalm 112:9

17 (A)He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord,
And He will pay back what he has given.

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17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,(A)
    and he will reward them for what they have done.(B)

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12 Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite (A)the poor, the [a]maimed, the lame, the blind. 14 And you will be (B)blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 14:13 crippled

12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,(A) 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”(B)

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Heal the sick, [a]cleanse the lepers, [b]raise the dead, cast out demons. (A)Freely you have received, freely give.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 10:8 NU raise the dead, cleanse the lepers
  2. Matthew 10:8 M omits raise the dead

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,[a] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 10:8 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, (A)that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become (B)rich.

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For you know the grace(A) of our Lord Jesus Christ,(B) that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor,(C) so that you through his poverty might become rich.(D)

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14 Now we [a]exhort you, brethren, (A)warn those who are [b]unruly, (B)comfort the fainthearted, (C)uphold the weak, (D)be patient with all.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 encourage
  2. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 insubordinate or idle

14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle(A) and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,(B) be patient with everyone.

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Is it not (A)to share your bread with the hungry,
And that you bring to your house the poor who are [a]cast out;
(B)When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not hide yourself from (C)your own flesh?
(D)Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
(E)The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.

“If you take away the yoke from your midst,
The [b]pointing of the finger, and (F)speaking wickedness,
10 If you extend your soul to the hungry
And satisfy the afflicted soul,
Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,
And your [c]darkness shall be as the noonday.
11 The Lord will guide you continually,
And satisfy your soul in drought,
And strengthen your bones;
You shall be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
12 Those from among you
(G)Shall build the old waste places;
You shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach,
The Restorer of [d]Streets to Dwell In.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 58:7 wandering
  2. Isaiah 58:9 Lit. sending out of
  3. Isaiah 58:10 Or gloom
  4. Isaiah 58:12 Lit. Paths

Is it not to share your food with the hungry(A)
    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter(B)
when you see the naked, to clothe(C) them,
    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?(D)
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,(E)
    and your healing(F) will quickly appear;
then your righteousness[a](G) will go before you,
    and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.(H)
Then you will call,(I) and the Lord will answer;(J)
    you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
    with the pointing finger(K) and malicious talk,(L)
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
    and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,(M)
then your light(N) will rise in the darkness,
    and your night will become like the noonday.(O)
11 The Lord will guide(P) you always;
    he will satisfy your needs(Q) in a sun-scorched land(R)
    and will strengthen(S) your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,(T)
    like a spring(U) whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins(V)
    and will raise up the age-old foundations;(W)
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,(X)
    Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 58:8 Or your righteous One

34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, (A)inherit the kingdom (B)prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 (C)for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; (D)I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was (E)naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; (F)I was in prison and you came to Me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, (G)inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

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34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom(A) prepared for you since the creation of the world.(B) 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,(C) 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me,(D) I was sick and you looked after me,(E) I was in prison and you came to visit me.’(F)

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’(G)

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17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek (A)the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I [a]have all and abound. I am full, having received from (B)Epaphroditus the things sent from you, (C)a sweet-smelling aroma, (D)an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God (E)shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 (F)Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

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Footnotes

  1. Philippians 4:18 Or have received all

17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.(A) 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus(B) the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant(C) offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs(D) according to the riches of his glory(E) in Christ Jesus.

20 To our God and Father(F) be glory for ever and ever. Amen.(G)

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Bearing Others’ Burdens

15 We (A)then who are strong ought to bear with the [a]scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 15:1 weaknesses

15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak(A) and not to please ourselves.

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(A)Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

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Continue to remember those in prison(A) as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

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